Massage apparatus



Aug. 11, 1931. F; HocHMAYR MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 195o Patented Aug. 11, i931 UNITED stares PATENT orrlcs i FRANZ HOCHMAYR, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONEHALF TO KARL WEIN.-

TOGL, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA MASSAGE APPARATUS Application filed February 25,1930. SerialrNo. 431,260, and in (Erermany4 December 27, 1929.

This invention relates to an improved massage apparatus operated by iuid pressure.

Two types of massage apparatus of this kind are known. According to one of these known constructions vibratory andpulsatory massage of the part of the body to be treated is effected directly by a diaphragm, while with the apparatus of the other type the diaphragm actuates an applicator or beater.

Compared with these known types, the massage apparatus according to the present invention possesses the advantage that it can be used for both kinds of massage above referred to and further cools the part of the body treated at the time by means of the pressure fluid which operates the diaphragm or beater. A further advantage of the ap paratus according to the present invention resides in a very advantageous mode of supplying and discharging the pressure fluid.

In carrying out the present invention the diaphragm is arranged in such a manner that it acts either directiy as massage-member or as means communicating vibratory or pulsatory movement to a beater acting as massage member.

One mode of carrying out the present invention is illustrated by way of example on the accompanying sheet of drawings in which z- Fig. 1 is a part-sectional view o-f the massage apparatus with the diaphragm as massage-member.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the forward end of the massage apparatus with beaterholder operated Vby a diaphragm and means for cooling the part of the body treated at the time.

A pipe 2 is arranged in a pipe 1, serving as handle, in such a manner, that a space 1 remains between the inner wall of the outer pipe 1 and the outer surface of the inner pipe 2 for the supply of pressure fluid, fo-r instance water under pressure, to the diaphragm 3. rlfhe pressure iiuid returns from the diaphragm by way of the inner pipe 2. The forward end of the two pipes are joined together so as to form a partly spherical member bridging the space between the two pipes. However the forward end of the inner pipe 2 is not closed. Holes 19 are provided in the said bridging member or connecting wall. If the diaphragm 3 is applied to the partly spherical end of the pipes 1 and 2, the fluid forced through the holes 19will lift the diaphragm and thereafter enter the inner pipe 2 and thus vibrate or pulsate the diaphragm. In order that the diaphragm directly acts as massage-member, the same is provided with suitably shaped extensionsv or applicator 3 of rubber or the like (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1). The diaphragm 3 is secured to the forward end ofthe pipes inv the following manner Y A nut 14 is screwed to the screw-threaded forward end of the outer pipe 1 and pro-` the groove of the nut by a clamping ring 15.

In view of this arrangement, the diaphragm 3 with its applicator 3 can ,be'readily removed and a diaphragm with an applicator of other shape can bel readily secured to the apparatus.

`The device, shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 2, is secured to the nut 14, if it is desired to use a separate'beater, which is operated by the diaphragm, andto cool the part of the body which is treated, e. g. massaged at the time. i

For this object the nut 14 is externally screw-threaded and a cap 17 is .screwed thereto. This cap serves for guiding the holder 16 of the beater (not illustrated) and is provided with means for attaching a hood 18 of rubber or the like, which encloses the beater and is charged with cooling water. A

spring, for withdrawing the beater-holder 16, is placed around the latter and one end of-this spring rests on a disc, bearing on the diaphragm 3, while the other end of said spring rests on the shoulder of the stepped bore of the-cap 17. In view of this arrangement the vibrations or pulsations of the diaphragm 3 are transmitted to the reciprocating beaterholder 16. vrllhebeater or massage-member is screwed to or otherwise secured to the outer end of said holder 1,6.. Arubber-tube A-lof treatment.

20 establishes communication between the pressure-fluid chamber 1 and the interior of the hood 18, while a rubber-tube 21 connects the latter with the inner pipe 2. During the operation a part of the pressure-fluid, which is supplied to the diaphragm 3,' enters by way of the tube 2O the hood 18, cools the part of the body under treatment and is discharged by way of the tube 21 into the inner pipe 2, through which it` leaves the apparatus together with the fluid coming from the diaphragm. I

The beater or massage-member operates in the Huid flowingtlirough the hood 18 and, in View of the combined massageand cooln ingl effect, this arrangement Vis particularly adapted fr heart-massage. Cold or hot water can be used as pressure` fluid, so that the-apparatus can beiised for different kinds The branches of the pipes 1 and 2 for the attachment of the tubes 2O and 21 are closed by screw-plugs 22 or in other convenient `manner, if it is desired to use the apparatus without hood 1S or withdut beater, e. g.

in the way Ishown in Fig. 1.

The Vpipes 1 and 2 are connected for instance tothe city water mains in the following manner A screw-cap 10 is screwed to the rear endV ofthe outer pipe 1 and'connects a flexible pipe o'r hose 9 to the latter. Tubes 7 and 8 for suppl-ying and leading of the pressurewater are arranged within the hose 9. The

'tubes 7 and 8 are in communication with the n chamber J1 andtheiiiner tube 2 respectively by meansof connecting members 5 and 6, secured in correspondingholes iii the bottom 4 of the pipes 1 and 2.

YThe other end of the hose 9 is secured to a fitting, adapted to be attached to the watertap. The' fitting comprises a liead-piece 11 with a rubber-insertion 13 for attachment to the water-tap and a discharge member 12 Vthrough which the water passes intotlie sink.

rlhe head-piece 11 is in communication with the supply tube 7, while the end of the dischargetube 8 passes linto theV flared end 12. I claim:

1. llfassage apparatus operated by pres-V sure fl'ui'd comprising in combination two pipesarranged one within the other, the space between both pipes serving for the supplyjof the pressure fluid while ,the inner pipe con- 'stit'utesv the fluid-discharge passage, Va wall f bridging' said space at the forward end of said-pipes, perforations in said bridging wall,

adiap'hragm covering the forward end of said 'pipesand resting on said bridging wall, a nut screwed to the forward end of the pipes, means 's'ecuring'the diaphragm to said nut, a

scre`w-ep with a centrally disp'osedbore secured to/said nut, a beatershaft passing4 through said boreand resting on said dia- 'phrag'ni, acup-shapedlmeinber secured to said the pressure fluid while the inner pipe con-i.

Ystitute's the fluid-discharge passage, a wall bridging said space at the forward end of said pipes, perforations in said bridging wall, a diaphragm covering the forward end of said pipes and resting on said bridging wall, a nut screwed to the forward end of the pipes, means securing the diaphragm to said nut,

a screw-cap with a centrally disposed borev secured to said nut, a beater-shaft passing through said bore and resting on said diaphrain, a hood of an elastic material secured to said screw-Cap, and means establishing communication between the interior of said hood and the pressure-fluid space between the two pipes as well as between the interior of the hood and the inner pipe to cause circulation of the pressure-fluid through the hood.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANZ HOGHMAYR. 

